Pope Leo says he loves US but he is pope first, American second

globalnation / World World Pope Leo says he loves US but he is pope first, American second Agence France-Presse / 06:28 PM July 30, 2026 Share: Pope Leo XIV smiles at the end of a concert in Borgo Laudato Si, a 55-hectare educational and environmental center, at Castel Gandolfo on July 29, 2026. Borgo Laudato Si’ hosted a prayer gathering promoted by the Laudato Si’ Centre for Higher Education and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, bringing together an international choir of 164 children and young people from five crisis-affected regions around the world. (AFP) ROME, Italy – Pope Leo XIV has “great love” for the United States and what it stands for but just “happens to be American”, the Chicago-born pope told NBC in an interview.

Leo, the first pope from the United States, spoke Wednesday night to the US broadcaster on the sidelines of a prayer event with music at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence. “I think of myself more as the pope who happens to be American. Not to belittle what it means to be an American,” said the pope, when asked how important it was to him being American.

Article continues after this advertisement “I have great love for America but I understand my mission as having a very important dimension, which is precisely being pastor of a universal church and having a voice and an opportunity to speak to people throughout the world,” added Leo, who spent nearly two decades as a missionary in Peru.FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Vietnamese doctors perform nation’s first successful penis transplant GLOBALNATION Cuba says three quarters of hotels shuttered GLOBALNATION Iran launches renewed missile attacks Asked what the 70-year-old head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics loved about America, he responded, “so many things”.

“In a sense, speaking about principles, what America stands for, the sense of freedom, the sense of opportunity, the sense of having invited, for generations, people from around the world to be part of America,” said Leo, adding that his grandparents were immigrants. On his mother’s side, Leo added, “we have people who were both slaves and slave owners.” Leo, like his predecessor Francis, has repeatedly spoken up for migrants during his nascent papacy, calling the Trump administration’s clampdown on immigrants in the United States “inhuman”.

Article continues after this advertisement A rift earlier this year between US President Donald Trump and the pope sparked global headlines and risked alienating Catholic US voters. On July 4th, Independence Day in the United States, he visited Italy’s island of Lampedusa — a major entry point to Europe for those crossing the dangerous Mediterranean from Africa — urging tolerance and protection for the vulnerable migrants, many of whom die during the journey. Article continues after this advertisement Leo told NBC that no trip had yet been planned for the United States, but he hoped to visit “soon”.

The event in the gardens of Castel Gandolfo, over which Leo presided, was part of celebrations for the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UP By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, accompanied by young singers from around the world, sang various works, including “Amazing Grace” in English and the hymn set to music, “Panis Angelicus”. READ NEXT Pope Leo says he loves US but he is pope first, American second How well are LGBTQ+ rights protected across Europe? EDITORS' PICK MTRCB orders ‘Showtime’ to reply to racism complaints within 7 days Alex Eala humbled by growing fan support, embraces responsibility Walang pasok: Class suspensions on July 30 The 40+ guide to fitness and training 69% of public school sites still not titled in DepEd’s name — Edcom 2 Lacson rejects apparent Cayetano peace overture: Ceasefire my foot!

MOST READ Lacson rejects apparent Cayetano peace overture: Ceasefire my foot! PSEi falls on Wall Street jitters Walang pasok: Class suspensions on July 30 Pax Silica brings promise—but at what cost? View comments EDITORS' PICK MOST READ entertainment MTRCB orders ‘Showtime’ to reply to racism complaints within 7 days sports Alex Eala humbled by growing fan support, embraces responsibility newsinfo Walang pasok: Class suspensions on July 30 lifestyle The 40+ guide to fitness and training newsinfo 69% of public school sites still not titled in DepEd’s name — Edcom 2 newsinfo Lacson rejects apparent Cayetano peace overture: Ceasefire my foot!

newsinfo Lacson rejects apparent Cayetano peace overture: Ceasefire my foot! business PSEi falls on Wall Street jitters newsinfo Walang pasok: Class suspensions on July 30 newsinfo Pax Silica brings promise—but at what cost? newsinfo Defensor, co-accused file bail petition for plunder newsinfo Gatchalian: DUs, not consumers, should pay